Truss



Jun 4, 1940. M. PoRTNow TRUSS Filed June l1, 1938 INVENTOR.

` MOR/s PORT/vow.

BY wm' ATTORNEY.

Patented June 4, 1940 y UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to trusses and more particularly to an improved form thereof, adapted to be rigidly tted to the bodies of patients having wide variations in girth, anatomical frame and types of hernia.

Generally speaking, two types of trusses are no-w commonly in use. One type has as one of its elements a sectional band made entirely of metal, and the other type embodies a band composed of an elastic material.

The obvious disadvantage of the rst named type of truss is, that it is entirely inelastic, hence extremely uncomfortable, while the latter permits of excessive elasticity, which is contrary to the purpose for which the device is intended.

With these matters in mind, it is the principal object of this invention to provide a truss having cushion pads connected each to a sectional metal band so as to confer on the truss a nexibility and elasticity within certain predetermined limits, and adjustable to positively define such limits.

A further feature is in the provision of a truss in which no metal parts make contact with the wearer, and which can be applied and removed without difficulty, whenever desired.

Another aim is to produce a truss .of novel and highly practical construction which, due to its adjustable flexible and elastic features, may be Worn with unusual ease and safety.

A still further advantage lies in the production of a truss of this character which, once adjusted to a wearers requirements, needs no further adjustment, and which, because of its controlled exibility, will enable the cushioned pads always to make contact with precisely the same part of the wearers body, no matter how often the truss is removed and applied.

These benecial objects, togetherfwith others which will hereinafter appear, are accomplished by the novel construction and combination of simple parts, hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a material component of this disclosure, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, showing the truss in extended or operative position, the truss being viewed from the front.

Figure 2 is a similar view, looking from the rear, parts being omitted.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the truss, in a loose .or inoperative position, indicating the loose straps in the rear thereof; and

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are respectively sectional views taken on the lines 4 4, 5 5, 6 6 and l' of Figure 3.

Referring in greater detail to the drawing, the numeral I5 designates in general a pair of opposed contact pads, filled with selected cushioning materialr and covered with suitable fabric.

These pads are preferably pear-shaped in prole, having rmly secured in them the outer ends of two side embracing iiat metal members |5 disposed under flexible covers |8 |9 secured on the outer end portions of elastic straps 20 2| extending between the pads in overlapping relation, their rear extremities being bound by ilexible clips 22-23, the latter members constituting liaison members for aiiixing the truss to the body. The straps 20 2| are of woven fabric having double walls of elastic threads, the inner layer 2i] having, adjacent its outer end clip 23, a permanently secured ilattened loop 24 to which is attached a non-stretchable strap 25 provided with a series of eyelets 26 disposed in spaced longi tudinal relation and extending nearly to the pad. Secured on the face of the strap 2|, near the clip 22, is a patch 21 engaging one of the elements of a flattened ring 28 through which passes the bight oi an elastic strap, the doubled under` portion 29 being firmly xed to the strap 20 near the rear end of the spring cover I8.

The outer layer SilA of the inelastic strap engages a buckle 3|, secured to the element 29, thereafter passing under a keeper bar 32 and extending in the manner yof a loose tongue 33.

Fixed on the face of the spring cover I6 is a button head stud 35 adapted to be adjustably y,en-

gaged in any of the eyelets 25, thereby essen ially modifying the operative length of the t .uss band as a unit, which is :further adjustable by the buckle 3|. v

It will be noted that the inner section 20 of the belt has attached to it a buckle 3| and loop 24, the latter with its connection 25 passing under the keeper 33 and having the eyelets 26, while that portion between the buckle and the loop is elastic and subject to stretch within the limits of the patch 21 and the buckle 3| which is easily adjustable, while the ultimate length is adjustable by selective engagement of the stud 35 in the eyelets 2G.

It will-thus be seen that I have provided a truss which is adapted to be snugly tted to the body and yet so endowed that it can be tted on patients having wide variations in girth, anatomical frame and types of hernia.

In ainxing the truss to the body, the truss is initially loosely applied thereto and then the liaison or strap members taken up the required amounts, so as to securely and effectively position the truss. As will be seen from the drawing and the appended claim, the truss comprises two metallically re-enforced side embracing portions 25J-2l which are adaptable for adjustable connection to each other at the side and rear thereor by means of the liaison members 25-30, the terminal ends of said metallically re-enforced portions carrying the usual hernia pads.

In fitting the truss to the body of the wearer, the strap 2G is unhooked from the stud 35 and the loop 2li is moved rearwardly along the portion 2| as far as it will go or as far as necessary. The strap 36 is let out as far as possible or necessary so that the truss can be loosely placed around the body of the wearer. When the hernia pads are placed in position, the loop 24 is moved rearwardly along the truss portion 2! until the desired tension between the two truss portions is obtained. The eyeleted strap 25 is then hooked on the stud 35 at the appropriate eyelet and thence the strap l) is properly adjusted.

As changes can be made within the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not as limitative of the inven` tion.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and sought to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A truss comprising two spaced apart pearshaped cushion pads, an arcuately curved metallic spring fixed inthe smaller end of each pad to encompass the sides and portion of the front and back of a body, a attened tubular casing completely enveloping said springs and attached whereby tha-t part of said casing between the.

adjacently spaced ends of said springs may be modified in length together with the distance between the springs to t the body.

MORIS POR'I'NOW. 

